New hips for old

On Tuesday of next week I am going into the Pennsylvania Hospital to have what my surgeon calls “a hip revision”. I had one hip replaced in 1999 and one in 2000 in the great luxury of the Lister Hospital in Chelsea, London, and oddly it is the newer one that has worn a bit and is giving me quite a bit of pain. So, after looking at X-rays, the surgeon decided it must either be totally replaced or at least “revised”, whatever that means.

He estimates that I will be in hospital for three days and then in rehab for a few more. So I should miss just one Sunday at St Clement’s, and maybe not even that, if I am fit enough to sit in Choir, while Father Sipe, our Honorary Assistant Priest, celebrates. Thereafter I can no doubt limp around the altar, as the priests of Baal did in their competition with Elijah on Mount Carmel.

Prayers for a speedy recovery, Father. The interwebs tell me that Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori is invoked against arthritis, which is the closest topic to “hip replacement” that I could find. I don’t know him, but I’ll ask him to put in a good word for you.

God Bless you as you undergo this procedure, Father. I have yet to have the honor of meeting you in person, but that is a situation I’d like to remedy as soon as possible with a visit to your wonderful parish. It has been such a long time since I have been there! I will remember you at my prayers as I attend the Traditional Latin Mass here in Jersey tomorrow.

Dear Father Reid: May God bless and grant devine favor to the surgeons taking care of you as well as everyone in all facets of your admission to Pennsylvania Hospital; so you can return to St Clement’s healed and whole in Jesus Mighty name we pray. May Our God Bless you during your recovery process and give you great peace to know all is well. Our prayer is that we believe Our Beautiful Jesus suffered so we “Are healed” and we pray in agreement and claim that truth for you today. See you at Mass soon, God Bless You. Amen

Thought I’d send out an update for anyone wondering–just spoke to Fr. Reid on the phone and he says he’s feeling well, all things considered. He’s been walking a bit today and is checking into the rehab hospital tomorrow. Should be back in the rectory in a few days.